Andrew Bowie is up here for a few weeks from Perth enjoying the autumn weather. He was out in his 5m fibreglass boat off northwest reef using a deep diving lure when a 1m long barracuda took a shine to the lure. Andrew landed the fish and happily took a few pics before releasing it.

The boys from the dolphin fish farm have been out chasing some stock and can’t seem to catch anything but marlin and sailfish. Meanwhile other boats in the area have been chasing marlin and can’t get away from the dolphin fish….typical! Pictured this week is Hayden Michaels with one of the dolphin fish caught off Helby Bank.

Col Fieldhouse is up from Perth with his uncle and cousin and has been throwing soft plastics around northwest reef. The boys caught trevally by the dozen, but released them all and enjoyed the calm autumn conditions. The reef fishing has been reported as slow, but steady with rankin cod, pearl perch and a few red emperor been showing up on the filleting tables. Punters heading out from Tantabiddi have been travelling past schools of golden trevally in the shallows. 

The baitschools have been congregating in all areas including the marina, Bundegi, the west side and the islands. Feeding on these hardy heads have been queenfish, mackerel, tuna, trevally and sharks. Most anglers have been using small metal lures with a fast retrieve and soft plastic lures jigged close by the school.

The EGFC is holding a reef fishing competition called the Exmouth Classic in mid-June with all sorts of sections and prizes up for grabs. Check out the website www.egfc.com.au or look out for the brochures around town. It’s not game fishing and its designed for people who want to get out and simply fish. Have you caught some fish lately and do you have a story or picture that you would like in the paper? If so, call in to Bluewater Tackleworld Exmouth and give us the details.

Hayden mahi-mahi